Register-Herald: Hey West Virginia, Sen. Manchin Wants to Hear What CHIP Means to You

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is asking West Virginia families to share stories on how the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has made an impact in their lives and the lives of their children.

CHIP provides health insurance to almost nine million children in America, and ensures that more than 21,000 children in West Virginia have access to needed healthcare services.

“As any West Virginian, I believe that we must take care of our children first and foremost,” Manchin said. “No matter where a child lives or how much their family makes, we owe it to them to make sure they receive the best health care available.”

He called Congress’ failure to reauthorize CHIP “disgraceful.” The program expired Sept. 30 this year, and unless the program is reauthorized, West Virginia is expected to freeze enrollment in the program Feb. 28, 2018.

CHIP in West Virginia is currently 100 percent funded by the federal government. Without CHIP, Manchin said tens of thousands of West Virginian children are at risk of losing health insurance coverage…